Hunting blind



June 13, 1950" ANDERSON ETAL HUNTING BLIND 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 19,1942

INVENTORS: [vdzz Lflzzdersozz am 1% fi. 17mm ATTORNEY.

June 13, 1950 1. ANDERSON ETAL 2,511,452

HUNTING BLIND 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 19.- 1947 IN VEN TORS:

Patented June 13, 1950 UNITED STATES. PATENT OFFICE 2,511,452 HUNTING BLIND Ivan L. Anderson, St. Charles, and All B. Hansen,

Chicago, Ill. Application September 19, 1947, Serial No. 775,056 2 Claims. (Cl. 135-3) This invention relates to portable shelter structures and more particularly to shooting blinds for hunters. p I

Usually, hunters select a likely location from which to shoot and then build a permanent shooting blind n the spot. This is particularly true of duck hunters. This: class of hunters choose a spot on or near water on which to build a blind. The blind generally comprises a framework of stakes, tree limbs orrbranches on which there is woven, entwined orrotherwise bonnected sheaves of grass, corn stalks, grain or straw.

These blinds are frequently objectionable in that they offer limited protection to the hunters from the elements, afford inadequate concealment and thereby expose hunters to the sight of wild game, or after being built are often found to be improperly located and not in the path of travel of the game being hunted. As a result, hunters get little game or'hunting enjoyment for the burdensome expenses incurred.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the present invention [to provide a shelter for hunters which is readily collapsible into a small, light pack capable of being con.- veniently carried from place to place and quickly assembled and set up wherever desired. 1

It is a further object to provide a collapsible structure having sufficient strength and rigidity when assembled to form a strong shelter capable of withstanding the elements during hunting seasons. 7

A further object of this invention is to provide a shelter for hunters Which is completely enclosed to protect the occupants against the elements and conceal them from the sight of wild ame. v

A still further object of this invention is to provide a hunting shelter so arranged and constructed that it may selectively be opened for.

clear vision and unobstructed shooting or be closed for protection.

Another and still :further object of this invention is to provide a shelter having the facilities and room to enable the occupants to sit upright in a comfortable position.

Still another object is to provide a shelter structure which is light, ruggedand durable in construction and yet simple and economical to manufacture.

The above, other, and further objects of the invention will become apparent from the following disclosures taken in conjunction with the accompanyin drawings, in which:

hunting blind constructed in accordance with the present inventionv and is shown with the top covering rolled to a position permitting the hunter occupants to stand in a shooting position and with the end flaps of the cover drawn aside to illustrate the devices for fastening the cover to the framework and for closing the doorway;

Figure 2 is a View similar to Figure 1 and illustrates the assembled supporting framework and seat construction;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary exploded view of a corner of the framework shown in Figure 2 and illustrates a fitting for detachably joining the rails and posts thereof;

Figure 4 is an isometric view of the roller for the top covering of the blind shown in Figure l and is illustrated in a disjointed condition;

Fi ure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line II of Figure 1 when the top is in a closed position;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 and i1- lustrates the top in an opened position as shown in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is an enlarged exploded isometric view and illustrates the parts of the seat construction shown in Figure 2; and r Figure 8 is an isometric view of the blind collapsed into a small and easily transported pack.

As shown on the drawings;

The hunting blind of this invention is shown as comprising a framework or supporting structure [0, a seat H, and a covering l2 preferably of a fabric material such as canvas which is so secured to and supported on the framework as to define a substantially complete enclosure therewith. More specifically, the structure it is preferably formed of tubular members and includes corner posts 13 to the ends of which are secured rail defining upper and lower horizontal frames. Each of the horizontal frames has end rails M for spacing the corner posts in a lateral direction and side rails 15 for spacing the corner posts in a lengthwise direction. At the upper end, each corner post removably supports a fitting [6 which has angularly directed male end portions l1 adapted to enter the female ends of the rails and posts in a tight, frictional fit and form slip joints as best shown in Figure 3. At the lower end, each corner post removably supports a. fitting l8 shaped similar to fitting H but having an additional male end portion to which is connected a leg l9. Elbow fittings 2t removably connect adjacent legs by end rails 2|.

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a portable I It will be notedthat the framework in a e lengthwise direction is two side rails long. In the upper horizontal frame, adjacent ends of the side rails are removably connected by T-shaped fittings 22 through slip joints similar to those previously described. A center rail 23 extends between the fittings 22. In the lower horizontal frame, adjacent ends of the side rails are removably connected through slip joints by sleeve fittings 24.

In Figures 2 and '7 there are shown a seat construction I! which is supported at the ends by the end rails 44 of the lower horizontal frame. The seat comprises a pair of seat or bench. members 25 and 26 having their corners recessed at 2'. and 28 in order that the seat snugly fit along the back of the framework. At adjacent ends of the seat members, edge recesses 29, .33, 3| and 32 are provided. Flat locking members 33 and 34 are each pivotally mounted at one end in an edge recess provided inthe seat member 25. The free ends of the locking members are slotted-asat 35 and 36 to receive pins located in the edge re .CGSSGS provided in the seat member 25. Only pin 31 is visible in Figure 7. Another and similar pin extends outwardly from the recessed'portion 33 of the seat. The locking members are rotated to positions in which the pins enter the slots thereby locking the seat members 25 and 25 against relative endwise movement as shown in Figure 2.

The abutting ends of the seat members are provided with vertically tapered slots 38 and 39 which are positioned to register with each other when the seat members are locked together. A center support member i!) has edge slots '41 and 42 defining an intermediate tapered portion which fits into the registered slots 33 and 38. When the seat construction I is locked as shown in Figure 2, the center support member 4% is-retained against endwise movement relative to the seat members. The support member not only extends below the plane of the seat to the ground but also extends above as at 43 to discourage the use of the seat as a bed thereby aiding the hunters in maintaining a vigilant watch for the approach of game.

The outer covering I2 of the blind is shaped to provide an elongated rectangular portion 44 which is arranged to extend around the framework it to provide end walls and sidewalls therefor and a shorter rectangular portion '45 which is arranged to extend over the framework to provide a top or roof. As described, the covering may be formed from a single piece of fabric or the two rectangular portions may, along their side edges, be stitched or sewed together.

Fastener means are provided on the overlapping extremities of the rectangular portion 54 to maintain the covering on the framework. As shown in Figure 1, the fastener means include on the marginal edge 46 of the covering, a fabric strip il which has provided thereon longitudinally spaced grommets 48 and a strap 49 opposite each grommet. The marginal edge 46 is held in place on the framework by looping each'strap 49 around the adjacent corner post l3 or leg l9 and through the opposite grommet. On the marginal edge 55, there is provided a fabric strip having buckles 52 thereon positioned directly opposite the straps 49. If desired, the marginal edges 45 and 50 are drawn together by threading the free ends of the straps 49 through the buckles 52. Usually, only the topmost straps and buckles are fastened to permit the lower portion of the marginal edge 50 to be drawn aside readily as a doorway. In addition to the fastener means described, a fabric strip 53 acting as a yoke helps support the sidewalls 0n the framework. The strip 53 extends over the center rail 23 and partially down each of the opposite covering sidewalls to which its ends are fastened. It will be apparent that the downward pressure exerted on the framework by the covering will tend to hold the vertical slip joints in place and the drawing together of the ends of the covering defining the sidewalls and endwalls will tend to 'hold the horizontal slip joints in place.

As :best shown in Figures 1, 5 and 6, grommets 54 and 55 are provided through the ends of the strip and the portions of the sidewalls to which "the ends are fastened. Another grommet 56 is provided in the strip 53 at a point toward the rear sidewall of the blind for a purpose to become apparent hereinafter.

The forward or free end of the top or roof 45 terminates in a loop or hem 51 within which is carried a roller member 58. As shown in Figure 4, the roller 58 is a split tubular member with detachable sections'59 and 3!! secured together by a male and female slip joint 5|. A draw string 62 is threaded through the grommet 54 and is fastened at one end 63 to the hem 5'! on the covering top and at its other end terminates inside the blind in a pull loop 64. Another draw string 65 extends from a terminal pull loop 65 inside the blind through the grommet 55, forwardly over the top 45, around the hem 51, rearwardly between the top and fabric strip 53, and through the grommet '55 where the string terminates in a knot 61.

The hunting blind of this invention is of a height to permit sufficient'head room for occupants in a'sitting position on the seat II when the blind is enclosed. Openings 68 in the covering sidewalls and openings 69 in the coveringend Walls are provided whereby the occupants may keep a lookout-for the approach of game.

Normally, the top 45 ismaintained in a closed position as shown in Figure 5 for the purposes of concealing the hunters from approaching game and of protecting the occupants fromthe elements. When game is sighted and the hunters desire to assume a standing position for shooting, the top is rolled back as shown in Figures 1 and '6 in a manner now to be described. Assuming the parts in the positions as shown in Figure 5 in which the top is closed, a pull on the loop 65 of the draw string 65 will result in the top being rolled around the roller 58 to a fully opened position as shown in Figure 6. After the shooting is over and it is again desired to close the top, a pull on the loop 64 of the draw string 62 will 'result in the top being unrolled to the fully closed position illustrated in Figure 5. The structure provided, then, permits of selectively opening and closing the top from the interior of the hunting blind.

In Figures 2, 4 and 7, it will be noted that the tubular side and end rails, the detachable sections of the jointed roller, and the seat members of the split seat construction are all of approximately the same length. These members, together with the shorter or smaller parts like fittings and the seat support, are wrapped within the fabric covering I2 for the framework and held in position within a loop of a shoulder carrying strap 10 to form a small, compact and easily transportable pack H as shown in Figure 8. In this manner, the hunting blind is carried by the hunter to 'the'hunting grounds and may be moved as often as desired or to any spot which provides the best hunting.

Although I have described certain specific uses for the embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, it will be understood that its use may be extended to all fields wherein it is desired to provide a light, sturdy, compact, and portable shelter.

The invention has been described herein more or less precisely as to details, yet it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited thereby as changes may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. A collapsible shelter structure comprising. an oblong framework having oppositely disposed half sections, each section being formed of tubular members and having a pair of corner posts, legs at the lower ends of said posts, end rails extending between adjacent ends of said posts and said legs, side rails extending from the upper and lower ends of said posts away from the end rails, and fittings having angularly disposed male ends for slidably receiving thereon adjacent free ends of said posts and legs and rails; other fittings having angularly disposed male ends for slidably receiving thereon adjacent ends of the side rails of each half section to join said sections together into said oblong framework, 2. cross-member between the fittings connecting the ends of the side rails extending from the upper ends of said posts; a fabric covering having an elongated portion extending laterally around the framework to define sides and ends and another portion intermediate the ends of said elongated portion extending away therefrom to define a top, said top terminating in a free edge having a hem, a roller in said hem, fastener means for maintaining said elongated portion of the covering on the framework and said tubular rail members and fittings in jointed arrangement, a fabric strip extending laterally across the top of said framework between said cross member and said covering top and having the ends fastened to the covering sides adjacent the top edges thereof, a grommet adjacent each end of said strip providing an opening through the strip and the covering side, and a draw string for and extending through each grommet and having one end thereof terminating inside the shelter, the draw string extending through the grommet closest to the free end of the covering top having its other end secured to the hem of the top.

the other draw string extending over and across the covering top and around the hem and under the covering top and having its other end secured to said strip near the junction of the side and top portions of the covering, said draw strings being selectively manipulated inside the shelter for rolling the top around said roller to opened and closed positions.

2. A covering for a shelter structure having a skeleton framework comprising, a sheet of fabric material having two rectangular portions of unequal length positioned in parallel lengthwise arrangement, the longer of the portions arranged to extend around said framework to cover opposite sides thereof, securing means on the ends of said longer portion for fastening said ends together and for maintaining the fabric material on the framework, a fabric strip having its ends secured to one pair of opposite sides of said longer portion, a grommet through said strip at each end thereof, the shorter of said rectangular portions normally overlying said strip and extending between said one pair of opposite sides to cover the top of the framework, 9, hem on a free edge of said shorter portion, a roller member within said hem, and a draw string for each grommet threaded therethrough from the inside of said shelter, said draw strings engaging the hem and roller and being selectively operated to effect a rolling of said shorter portion along said strip to positions of covering and uncovering the top of said framework.

IVAN L. ANDERSON. ALF B. HANSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 359,749 Tourgee Mar. 22, 1887 453,049 Navo May 25, 1891 481,954 Jewel Sept. 6, 1892 1,124,263 Bemis Jan. 12, 1915 1,288,518 Collier Dec. 24, 1918 1,425,391 La Munyon Aug. 8, 1922 1,581,180 Csajaghy Apr. 20, 1926 1,618,803 Bokan Feb. 22, 1927 1,629,150 Colt May 1'7, 1927 1,925,815 Nicolson Sept. 5, 1933 2,168,913 Middleton Aug. 8, 1939 2,213,633 Kern Sept. 3, 1940 2,301,089 Stevens Nov. 3, 1942 

